by Ruth Belena

Created on: March 29, 2010

Freelance writers do need to stay highly motivated in order to write every day or each working day. They cannot really afford to feel an urge not to write. If they have this urge they will find ways to overcome it. The best way for online freelance writers to overcome an urge not to write is to focus on why they write, and to find good reasons to continue writing.

1. Be motivated by money.

Getting paid to write online and earning passive income from self-published web content should provide a good financial reward for a productive freelance writer. Earnings can be slow to start with, so it is important to be able to look ahead to a time when increased earnings will provide more disposable income.

A good way to get over the urge not to write is to think about ways of spending extra money made from writing. It could only be enough to pay a few household bills now, but when more writing has been completed there is greater opportunity to earn extra money, which could be spent on treats.

The urge not to write should be removed by thoughts of future prosperity.

2. Get support from family and friends.

It is very important to freelance writers to have support. Other people need to be aware that they cannot phone or visit when a writer has articles to finish. When friends and relatives understand the need to write, and know that freelance writers have deadlines to meet and targets to reach, they will not try to tempt a writer to take time off for social activities.

 The urge not to write should be reduced when there is less temptation to stop for a chat with friends.

3. Take regular breaks from writing.

Most online freelance writers work at home, often alone in the house or shut up in a room, away from the rest of the family. Freelance writers have to meet deadlines and stick to a writing schedule that will allow them to complete work in time. They can feel isolated and begin to resent that they have to work while everyone else is out or enjoying some leisure time at home.

Getting away from writing can help with productivity. It is important to schedule short breaks from writing into a regular routine, and allow some time for spending with the family. Joining group activities will also help to reduce feelings of isolation.

Going for a walk will give a writer some air and exercise. Any form of exercise can refresh the mind as well as the body. After exercise a writer should want to get back to writing, and the urge not to write will have been overcome.

Online writing work never really comes to an end. A productive writer could be working on several freelance projects and have regular online writing gigs that need keeping up. It is therefore not surprising that on some occasions online freelance writers need to overcome the urge not to write.

Most online writers will keep writing until a project is completed. They are aware of the need to finish a series of articles or to submit a completed assignment in order to get paid. This is not a problem for writers who remember why writing online became their chosen occupation in the first place. Online freelance writers can overcome any unproductive urges by staying motivated, getting support from family and friends, and making time to enjoy an active life.    

Learn more about this author, Ruth Belena.
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